National Republican., 1887-10-19
THE GUATEMALA MINISTER
Rejoices in an Amicable and Reoipro'
cal Intercourse with Mexico.

cal Intercourse with Mexico.
EDITOR NATIONAL REPUBLICAN: beg
you to iDsert In your esteemed paper the
following lines relating to the remarks on
the legation from Guatemala, made by the
Hon. Mr.. Romero, minister from Mexico In
Washington, to one Of the editors OF the
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, and which appeared
In you issue OF the 18th instant. OBJ.
viously would have held my country IN
poor esteem had l harbored the "fears, as
exaggerated as they are unfouuded," to
which Mr.. Romero refers on account OF the
warlikc or hostile attitude OF Mexico to-
ward Guatemala, and II such is the con.
struction placed upon the interview with
me published In the Washington Post,
affirm that 1t is erroneous, for Ihave neither
felt nor expressed such exaggerated fears
simply confined myself to lament the ten
dency Of the Mexican government toward
a conflict with Guatemala, which would IN
evitably bring about a conaagratioD
throughout Central America.
IL is in Mexico where the news originated
Of great disturbances in the political circles
OF Guatemala. 1t is from Mexico that the
information came Of the dispatch OF troops
Of war with Guatemala, all of which
prompted the Investigations OF the press
upon the subject. 1t was likewise from
Mexico that came the assertion that both
the conservative and liberal party In Guate-
mala eagerly sought the annexation to
Mexico, to which replied that the liberal
party could have no such purpose, and that
In the event OF its being bent on annexation
1t would choose union with country
| great in progress and civilization, such as
| the United states, and not with the Mexi-
| can republic, than which considered Gaute-
mala more advanced. grant that in so
stating highly priced my country, but
did not exhibit toward Mexico the uufriend.
illness attributed to me by Mr.. Romero, at a
tlme too, when the action OF Senior Garay,
| Mexican minister in Guatemala, had brought
| about suspension OF Diplomatic rela-
tions.
| Mr.. Romero evinces surprise that
should have communicated my ideas and
| purposes to the press before comforting
ieisurely with the President and Secretary
OF State as to the moral support Of the
government Of the United States toward
the maintenance OF peace In Central
mercial relations with this country, aud
Mr.. Romero has some misgivnxs that |
may have endeavored to use the press as O
means OF intercourse between the legation
Of Guatemala and the government OF the
United States. But there is no basis foi
such suspicious, inasmuch as the legation
is also In direct communication with the
imagine what may have led Mr.. Romero to
take this view Of the matter. The question
| Ia not one to be treated with reserve. 1t is
Of paramount interest to this country and tc
Central America, and the fact Of Its having
been readily submitted to the enlightened
judgment Of the press is perfectly In ae
cord with plain democratic frankness.
| hs to the desire of Mr.. Vicente Dardon
late minister from Guatemala In Mexico
to exchange his allegiance to Guatemala
for that OF Mexico being q proof that thu
sensible people OF the former do not feal
war OF conquest from Mexico, I will
barely observe that II such an act implies
token OF good Judgment we must hop'
that all OF us Guatemallans, with the excep
tion Of Mr.. Dardon, will accept with pride
the appellation Of insensates since the love
Of ones country, ,diminutive and poor though
the latter may be, scars above every consld
Grafton Of personal convenience. hop,
that this sentiment may not be interpreted
as arising from lack Of sympathy with o
friendlness to Mexico.
1t appears from the declarations Of Mr.
Romero that the government Of Mexico ha
not and does not harbor the Idea OF con
| quest against Guatemala!nor an attack upoi
her autonomy. For my part, rejoice tina
SO authoritative and respectable voice a
that Of Mr.. Romero has come to diss!pat
the rumors which have been current, baset
upon the attitude--entirelY unexpected-o
the Mexican legation In Guatemala when |
ignored the political changes made by Geu
Barllas In the latter part of June last, ant
rejoice the more that hold that an inter
course amicable and reciprocally fraternu
is that which, In the nature Of things, per
fectly becomes the republics Of Mexico ant
Guatemala. FRANCISCO LAINFIEsTA,
Minister from Guatemala.
New YORK, Oct II, 1887.